Day 12 Colville to Pioneer Park, just outside Newport 96km

Unbelievable! For the first time this trip we awake to sunshine and blue skies, for which we are both grateful and excited. Eager to be on our way, we head out early following the route recommended to us by fellow cyclists, through Chewelah and onto Usk, where we plan to camp. This route takes us over another pass, but cuts 20 miles off the bike map route. We happily endure the 21 miles of headwind if it means we can have this sunshine to lift our spirits. The pass climbs sharp and short over just 9 miles, and for the first time this on trip it doesn't rain on the descent! But we are so sure it will we put on all our rain gear regardless! Only to have to remove it all again once back down the mountain. A beautiful ride along the Pend Oreille river valley, which is flooding, plenty of birdlife taking advantage, and multiple turtles who put their lives in jeopardy crossing roads, luckily the Louise and Kerstin turtle rescue team was there to help! Due to flooding our intended campground was closed, so we pushed on thankful for warm weather and beautiful scenery to distract us from aching behinds! An unintended 12 miles added but overall the most successful day on the bikes so far, which has delivered us to the doorstep of Idaho. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad